[Moncton] Downtown Developments

[Riberview]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

It’s a charter though. They’re next job must be in DC

Potentially!

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Would stick out like a sore thumb at Main & Highfield. Cut the tower in half and better integrate that choppy podium into the tower itself. Taller =/= better.

I was just showing an example of what Aquilini is capable of, not suggesting that this is what should go on their property. That stretch along Main Street is becoming a real eyesore, especially in such a prominent location. It would be huge for Moncton and the downtown if Aquilini decided to do a major development on their property. As MonctonRad pointed out, even with all the new inventory being built, we're not keeping up with demand. Again, I have no idea if Aquilini Development is aware of the demand in the Moncton market, but I hope they are!

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

I was just showing an example of what Aquilini is capable of, not suggesting that this is what should go on their property. That stretch along Main Street is becoming a real eyesore, especially in such a prominent location. It would be huge for Moncton and the downtown if Aquilini decided to do a major development on their property. As MonctonRad pointed out, even with all the new inventory being built, we're not keeping up with demand. Again, I have no idea if Aquilini Development is aware of the demand in the Moncton market, but I hope they are!

It's something that's been pushed around on this forum for over a decade. I don't know if it's any closer to becoming reality today than it was in 2015 or 2010, but hoping and praying on Aquilini seems to be a common exercise around these parts.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by JHikka

It's something that's been pushed around on this forum for over a decade. I don't know if it's any closer to becoming reality today than it was in 2015 or 2010, but hoping and praying on Aquilini seems to be a common exercise around these parts.

Agree. The thing is that Aquilini has a lot on their plate in B.C. as they currently have several developments in the planning stages.

Who knows if Moncton is even on their radar. Knowing what they are capable of and the market available to them in Moncton, it's frustrating to see that prime property on Main Street in it's current condition. Especially since the Avenir Center is just across the street. For me, it's a case of I'll believe it when I see it.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by JHikka

It's something that's been pushed around on this forum for over a decade. I don't know if it's any closer to becoming reality today than it was in 2015 or 2010, but hoping and praying on Aquilini seems to be a common exercise around these parts.

It's all fun speculation really.

If Aquillini just owned the Crowne Plaza, I don't think anyone would pay much attention, but they have purchased the whole damned city block, so obviously they are keeping their options open in terms of a major redevelopment project.

Having said this though, they are a Vancouver based company, and their major focus is on the west coast. I doubt they spend too much time worrying about downtown Moncton.

It is a shame though, another tower adjacent to the Crowne Plaza would make the world of difference in the appearances of this neighbourhood.

[L'homard]

One of the Aquilini brothers was interviewed by the local newspaper shortly after they acquired their downtown block and he was very clear they were in no hurry whatsoever to do anything with the block. While I can't recall the details of the interview, I certainly recall he went to great lengths to repeatedly get the message across to Monctonians not to expect any developments on their property for quite some time.
Hopefully, they've now taken the time to digest the various opportunities this investment presents. I'm not holding my breath. Remember, it was only a few months before or after they bought the joint that the inside of the Crowne underwent a multimillion dollar makeover. The inside was literally trashed and it was all rebuilt from the inside out.
That being said, I'm like the rest of you crew and can't wait to see what will happen here. The Aquilinis don't appear to do things half assed. I'm just not going to lose much sleep over it. Yet.

[jonny golden]

I wonder if anybody from Moncton has ever reached out to the Aquilinis? Somebody from the economic development agency or even the mayor. Do they really know the opportunity and the market in Moncton. Or would that be inappropriate? Just a random thought.

[gehrhardt]

Happy Craft Brewing announced this afternoon that they will be opening tomorrow from 12-9.

In the image they posted on Facebook, there appears to be 24 beer taps

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

I wonder if anybody from Moncton has ever reached out to the Aquilinis? Somebody from the economic development agency or even the mayor. Do they really know the opportunity and the market in Moncton. Or would that be inappropriate? Just a random thought.

Oh I'm sure people from the city's economic development agency have reached out to the Aquillinis at least several times over the last 10 years. It is in the city's best interests to know what developers have in mind. It allows the city to refresh their overall development strategy on an ongoing basis.

Of course, the Aquillinis are under to obligation to be truthful with the city regarding their intentions, but one would think that they would respond in some manner. After all, government funding, rezoning changes, upgrading of civic infrastructure can all make a big difference on how successful development plans could end up being.

It's a dance really. Developers and the municipality have to work in tandem, and keep in step, to ensure a profitable success for one, and an expanding tax base for the other.

[Riberview]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

I wonder if anybody from Moncton has ever reached out to the Aquilinis? Somebody from the economic development agency or even the mayor. Do they really know the opportunity and the market in Moncton. Or would that be inappropriate? Just a random thought.

I sent an email maybe a year ago wondering what their plans were. did not receive a reply.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Oh I'm sure people from the city's economic development agency have reached out to the Aquillinis at least several times over the last 10 years. It is in the city's best interests to know what developers have in mind. It allows the city to refresh their overall development strategy on an ongoing basis.

Of course, the Aquillinis are under to obligation to be truthful with the city regarding their intentions, but one would think that they would respond in some manner. After all, government funding, rezoning changes, upgrading of civic infrastructure can all make a big difference on how successful development plans could end up being.

It's a dance really. Developers and the municipality have to work in tandem, and keep in step, to ensure a profitable success for one, and an expanding tax base for the other.

There's the 3 year tax rebate incentive for projects over $10 million that a lot of developers have been taking advantage of. Of course we all know that a million dollars probably wouldn't move the needle too far for Aquilini Developments.

[jonny golden]

There was a vacant lot on the NW corner of St. George & Steadman that sold a couple of months ago. I noticed last night that the property has been excavated. It's not big enough for anything substantial to be built, but this area of town is slowly improving. A few years ago there was an older 2 story house with boarded up windows on the lot that was demolished, so something new in it's place will be an improvement.

Now if somebody would just buy the Delux property up the street, something more significant could be done on that land. And that would further improve the neighbourhood.

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by jonny golden

There was a vacant lot on the NW corner of St. George & Steadman that sold a couple of months ago. I noticed last night that the property has been excavated. It's not big enough for anything substantial to be built, but this area of town is slowly improving. A few years ago there was an older 2 story house with boarded up windows on the lot that was demolished, so something new in it's place will be an improvement.

Now if somebody would just buy the Delux property up the street, something more significant could be done on that land. And that would further improve the neighbourhood.

The St-George/Steadman lot is getting a 3-storey apartment building. Someone posted renders a couple months ago.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by NBNYer

The St-George/Steadman lot is getting a 3-storey apartment building. Someone posted renders a couple months ago.

That's good. Underground parking, it's not a large lot?

[MonctonRad]

Apparently Happy Craft Brewing on Main Street opens today.

[David_99]

Downtown development must be underway by August 2022



Galco Atlantic Investments Network must lay the foundation for a commercial project worth at least $7.5 million by Aug 8, 2022, or the City of Moncton has the option to purchase the land for $1 million. Galco informed the city that plans are in the works for the site, but city officials aren't privy to the details of what's in store for the property.

Times & Transcript

This is on the Times website today. I know we were already aware of this, but I hadn't heard all of the details regarding dates and numbers involved.

[MonctonRad]

The large multi-building apartment proposal for Millennium Blvd has been approved by Moncton PAC with the following conditions:

1.That reciprocal Right-of way agreements be registered to each lot for driveway and access prior to the issuance of a building and development permit for all buildings after building A;
2.That a subdivision plan be registered for each individual lot prior to the issuance of a Building and Development permit for each building. The subdivision plan is to capture any reciprocal right-of-way and any public or private easement;
3. That $19,600.00 is to be paid to the city for each of the first five buildings, as contribution to the street widening at Russ Howard Street, prior to the issuance of a building and development permit for each of the first five buildings;
4. That a walkway be located from the north- east-facing door of building K to the sidewalk on Grand Trunk Street;
5. That building H is to be no less than 7 metres in height;
6. This approval shall expire within 36 months of it coming into effect unless a developent permit has been obtained; and
7. In all other respects, the development shall be carried out in substantial conformance with the plans and drawings submitted.

[MonctonRad]

The proposed rezoning to allow the new Lorentz Street Apartments to be built has received PAC approval.

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The large multi-building apartment proposal for Millennium Blvd has been approved by Moncton PAC with the following conditions:

1.That reciprocal Right-of way agreements be registered to each lot for driveway and access prior to the issuance of a building and development permit for all buildings after building A;
2.That a subdivision plan be registered for each individual lot prior to the issuance of a Building and Development permit for each building. The subdivision plan is to capture any reciprocal right-of-way and any public or private easement;
3. That $19,600.00 is to be paid to the city for each of the first five buildings, as contribution to the street widening at Russ Howard Street, prior to the issuance of a building and development permit for each of the first five buildings;
4. That a walkway be located from the north- east-facing door of building K to the sidewalk on Grand Trunk Street;
5. That building H is to be no less than 7 metres in height;
6. This approval shall expire within 36 months of it coming into effect unless a developent permit has been obtained; and
7. In all other respects, the development shall be carried out in substantial conformance with the plans and drawings submitted.

Looks like overall little change to the proposal. Seems disappointing. I half heard Counselor Charles Leger on CBC radio this morning talking about this project but missed most of it. Did anyone listen in?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by NBNYer

Looks like overall little change to the proposal. Seems disappointing. I half heard Counselor Charles Leger on CBC radio this morning talking about this project but missed most of it. Did anyone listen in?

I heard the interview as I was getting ready for work, so might have missed a bit.

Approval was pretty much automatic since the land had already been rezoned, and there is no overarching development plan for the neighbourhood. Leger made the point that the final product may not be what has been presented in the renderings. The buildout will be over 8-10 years, and will take place in multiple phases. There is the opportunity to work with the developer to reduce the architectural uniformity and lack of imagination in this development. Hopefully this will occur.

As it stands, with nine identical buildings all in a row and an ocean of intervening surface parking, this development misses the boat. There is a tremendous opportunity for something special, especially if architecturally interesting buildings are built, and the development is integrated into the adjacent parkland. Hopefully the larger community will put pressure on city council to work with the developer to accomplish this. Councillor Leger seemed open to such suggestions.